Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Baling Corn Fodder 2012

Well...we finally saw some beautiful blue sky today. It was partially covered with high clouds, but there was some blue showing through...and some sun...and it felt a little warmer...yeah!

Jim started baling corn fodder this afternoon. Yesterday the corn stalks that were left after the combine went through were flailed (chopped) and this morning he raked them into windrows. I caught up with him this afternoon, filling the first wagon...

He was happy with how well the baler worked. Corn fodder is notoriously hard on a baler, but things went well today. It's close to thirty years old, and hardly missed a bale!

During milking, and before it got too dark to see, Jim, Eric and some friends unloaded two big loads into the mow above the outside pen. The young ones had some battles with dusty corn fodder. All I can say is that I'm glad I was milking and not involved in that itchiness!

We'll use this for bedding up the heifer pens. It makes a great, absorbent bedding. They unloaded the rest at the other farm, where they had plenty of light in the barn to see what they were doing.

Hopefully tomorrow, Jim will be able to bale a few more loads before the rain comes. After that, he'll have to wait until the fodder dries out to bale more.

It's a great feeling to get the fodder baled...it's the last harvest related thing that we need to do before winter comes!

I just love that this year has been such a good year for you. I love reading all of the things you do to get ready for winter. All I do is get my firewood stacked and I feel so safe and ready for the cold winds to blow. It is so nice to read about your day to day life.

About Me

I am from…hay tunnels, raw milk, and mooing hummies.
I am from large farmhouses with dark, dirt floored cellars, shelves filled with canned goods and the path worn to Grandma’s house.
I am from women who milked the cows, hands rough from outside work, from a quartet of girls, from Elizabeth, Ella and Helen.
I am from shelling lima beans until my fingers are numb, husking corn and singing silly songs at the top of my lungs to pass the time.
I am from the Buck, but it’s not in the Boonies like everyone says, from Herr and Neff and Harnish and Shenk, from lima beans served with milk and butter, and Grandma’s baked chicken.
I am from avoiding conflict at all cost, from trying to please others, “To have a friend you must show yourself friendly!” and “Call if you’re going to be late!”
I am from the depression- era widow with 2 small boys, who went to market to feed her family, from the sweet grandmother who lived to see 3 centuries .
I am from a long line of traditional Mennonites, 4-part harmony, “Praise to God Immortal Praise” and “Let us return thanks”.
I am from shelves of scrapbooks, lovingly crafted to share the stories of life for generations to come.